Act V · Scene I
The British camp near Dover
Enter, with drum and colours, Edmund, Regan, Gentlemen, and Soldiers.[4541]
Edm. Know of the duke if his last purpose hold,
Or whether since he is advised by aught
To change the course: he's full of alteration[4542]
And self-reproving: bring his constant pleasure.
Or whether since he is advised by aught
To change the course: he's full of alteration[4542]
And self-reproving: bring his constant pleasure.
[To a Gentleman, who goes out.[4543]
Reg. Our sister's man is certainly miscarried. 5
Edm. 'Tis to be doubted, madam.
Reg. Now, sweet lord,
You know the goodness I intend upon you:
Tell me, but truly, but then speak the truth,[4544]
Do you not love my sister?
You know the goodness I intend upon you:
Tell me, but truly, but then speak the truth,[4544]
Do you not love my sister?
Edm. In honour'd love.[4545]
Reg. I am doubtful that you have been conjunct[4546][4547][4548]
And bosom'd with her, as far as we call hers.[4546][4547][4548]
And bosom'd with her, as far as we call hers.[4546][4547][4548]
Enter, with drum and colours, Albany, Goneril, and Soldiers.[4553]
Gon. [Aside] I had rather lose the battle than that sister[4554][4555]
Should loosen him and me.[4554][4556]
Should loosen him and me.[4554][4556]
Alb. Our very loving sister, well be-met.[4557] 20
Sir, this I hear; the king is come to his daughter,[4558]
With others whom the rigour of our state
Forced to cry out. Where I could not be honest,[4559]
I never yet was valiant: for this business,[4559][4560]
It toucheth us, as France invades our land,[4559] 25
Not bolds the king, with others, whom, I fear,[4559][4561]
Most just and heavy causes make oppose.[4559]
Sir, this I hear; the king is come to his daughter,[4558]
With others whom the rigour of our state
Forced to cry out. Where I could not be honest,[4559]
I never yet was valiant: for this business,[4559][4560]
It toucheth us, as France invades our land,[4559] 25
Not bolds the king, with others, whom, I fear,[4559][4561]
Most just and heavy causes make oppose.[4559]
Reg. Why is this reason'd?
Gon. Combine together 'gainst the enemy;
For these domestic and particular broils[4563] 30
Are not the question here.[4564]
For these domestic and particular broils[4563] 30
Are not the question here.[4564]
Edm. I shall attend you presently at your tent.[4567]
Reg. Sister, you'll go with us?
Gon. No. 35
Reg. 'Tis most convenient; pray you, go with us.[4568]
Gon. [Aside] O, ho, I know the riddle.—I will go.
As they are going out, enter Edgar disguised.[4569]
Edg. If e'er your grace had speech with man so poor,[4570]
Hear me one word.
Hear me one word.
Alb. I'll overtake you. Speak.
[Exeunt all but Albany and Edgar.[4571]
Edg. Before you fight the battle, ope this letter. 40
If you have victory, let the trumpet sound
For him that brought it: wretched though I seem,[4572]
I can produce a champion that will prove
What is avouched there. If you miscarry,
Your business of the world hath so an end, 45
And machination ceases. Fortune love you![4573]
If you have victory, let the trumpet sound
For him that brought it: wretched though I seem,[4572]
I can produce a champion that will prove
What is avouched there. If you miscarry,
Your business of the world hath so an end, 45
And machination ceases. Fortune love you![4573]
Alb. Stay till I have read the letter.[4574]
Edg. I was forbid it.[4575]
When time shall serve, let but the herald cry,[4575]
And I'll appear again.[4575]
When time shall serve, let but the herald cry,[4575]
And I'll appear again.[4575]
Alb. Why, fare thee well: I will o'erlook thy paper. 50
[Exit Edgar.
Re-enter Edmund.[4576]
Edm. The enemy's in view: draw up your powers.[4577]
Here is the guess of their true strength and forces[4578]
By diligent discovery; but your haste[4579][4580]
Is now urged on you.[4579]
Here is the guess of their true strength and forces[4578]
By diligent discovery; but your haste[4579][4580]
Is now urged on you.[4579]
Alb. We will greet the time. [Exit.[4581]
Edm. To both these sisters have I sworn my love;[4582] 55
Each jealous of the other, as the stung[4583][4584]
Are of the adder. Which of them shall I take?[4583]
Both? one? or neither? Neither can be enjoy'd,[4583][4585]
If both remain alive: to take the widow
Exasperates, makes mad her sister Goneril; 60
And hardly shall I carry out my side,[4586]
Her husband being alive. Now then we'll use
His countenance for the battle; which being done,
Let her who would be rid of him devise[4587]
His speedy taking off. As for the mercy[4588] 65
Which he intends to Lear and to Cordelia,[4589]
The battle done, and they within our power,
Shall never see his pardon; for my state[4590]
Stands on me to defend, not to debate. [Exit.
Each jealous of the other, as the stung[4583][4584]
Are of the adder. Which of them shall I take?[4583]
Both? one? or neither? Neither can be enjoy'd,[4583][4585]
If both remain alive: to take the widow
Exasperates, makes mad her sister Goneril; 60
And hardly shall I carry out my side,[4586]
Her husband being alive. Now then we'll use
His countenance for the battle; which being done,
Let her who would be rid of him devise[4587]
His speedy taking off. As for the mercy[4588] 65
Which he intends to Lear and to Cordelia,[4589]
The battle done, and they within our power,
Shall never see his pardon; for my state[4590]
Stands on me to defend, not to debate. [Exit.
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